Using atropine drops after trabeculectomy due to IOP dropping too low

[Roundearther]

Hi everyone. I wrote on here over a week ago about my injury leading to a trabeculectomy in December.

My eye pressure has dropped to 7 and now 2, after the surgery. So my consultant has prescribed atropine drops and reduced my anti-scarring drops to actually now encourage scarring, as the new drainage is working "too well".

Have you had experience with atropine? I've read research that it actually is bad for your vision and can last a long time. Is this usual practice when eye pressure is low post-trab?

[Longwalks3]

I used atropine drops for a short time post Baerveldt tubes surgery in 2020. I don't believe it had a detrimental affect on my eyes and the tube healed well and is still working now.

[pjhl]

My pressure was at zero following my trab and I was put on 1% atropine ( which is a strong dose ) for 6 weeks . It is a powerful medication and was difficult to live with as it has a paralysing effect on some of the muscles that control the eye so interferes with vision in addition to the effects of low pressure .The effects lingered several on for several weeks after I finished the course . Also I did not feel quite as "sharp" as normal generally and became tired quite easily . There is a warning that it can cause a degree of confusion in the elderly which is probably more relevant to me than to you !

I have now been off atropine for about 12 weeks and am not aware of any permanent effects although my pressure is still down at 4 .

[KieranGlaucomaUK Administrator]

Hi. Atropine is not prescribed routinely due to it causing vision problems. You will most probably be using atropine for a short period of time. Your consultant wouldn't do this if they didn't this it was necessary. Please be assured that this can happen with glaucoma surgeries like trabs. It is important that you keep your consultant informed if it causes you any vision problems or side effects.